Sun-Safe Clothing Options

Sunscreen by itself is NOT ENOUGH to protect you from the harsh effects of the sun. You need to have proper clothing when you plan to spend an extended amount of time out. Besides having the risk of getting skin cancer, those parts of your body you expose to the sun regularly can be susceptible to premature aging, resulting in wrinkles and blemishes.

Here are some Sun-Safe clothing options that you need to be wearing when you go out in the sun:

1. Wide-Brimmed Hats – Choose hats that are at least 3 inches in diameter. Make sure that your face, neck and ears are shaded.

2. Sunglasses – UV-filtering sunglasses help protect your eye area where the skin is thinner and more delicate, thus more susceptible to sun damage.

3. Lightweight Fabrics – Tightly-woven linen shirts are recommended when outside. Make sure these clothes have a UPF label. UPF, or Ultraviolet Protection factor, measures how effectively a piece of clothing protects you against the sun. Choose clothes with lycra or elastane fabrics as these will most likely have a UPF rating of 50 or higher.

4. Long-Sleeved Athletic Tops – These are designed not only to be lightweight and cool but also to protect you against the elements. Athletic tops are most likely made from spandex, a very light material that covers your body without weighing you down.

5. Beach Skirts and Sarongs – Great and stylish when at the beach, these pieces of clothing help protect your legs from UV rays.

However, the best protection you can have against the sun is STAYING OUT OF IT. If you can help it, stay out of the sun during the mid-day hours when it is highest in the sky. If you do have to go out, seek shaded areas to minimize your direct exposure to harmful UV rays.